Congress returned back from its August recess last week – but the Senate will go back home on Thursday. The House is scheduled to be in session through Friday, but with the Senate gone, some think House members will follow suit, not returning until after the November election. That would make it difficult to get the farm bill on the House floor for a vote. However, 51 representatives have now signed the discharge petition initiated by Iowa Representative Bruce Braley last week to take the farm bill to the House floor. In order for the House leadership to bring up the legislation for consideration, a majority of House members would have to sign the petition.

The House passed a continuing resolution for government funding Friday, meaning the appropriations bills, including one for agriculture and related agencies, will be discarded along with riders some groups had objected. Most ag programs will remain at the same levels through March 27th of next year. The CR will prevent new enrollments in various conservation programs, such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, in Fiscal year 2013, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

A lawsuit has been filed by the maker of a meat product that critics call "pink slime". Correspondent Jim Chenevey tells us about it.

School is now in full swing across the country. With new Ag Department rules in place, kids are seeing new choices at lunchtime, including more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Barry Bagnato reports.

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